The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-06-30
A FRIEND IN NEED,
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

"Mothcr, mother there's one of the
fine ladies from the hotel scttin' in the
best room a-askin' for drink o water.
And she says she wants it drawcd right
outen the old well; and how can it wh,u
the buckets broke"
Little Bennic Bliss had not the least
idea how picturesque he looked, with
his trousers rollcl above the knees, and
hitchcd up by string and nail, and
the ragged edges of his hat-brim cast
ing irregular shadows on his sunburned
face.
Mrs. Bliss hurriedly took her arms out
of the wash tub, and wiped the silver
fringes of soap suds with the roller
towel.
"Oh, DEAR" she sighed, 81 wish the
fine ladies would select any other than
wash day morning to make their visits"
But the next instant her hospitab!c
heart stung her for the reflection.
run, Benny" she said "and let the
tin-pail down the well-and be careful,
for there's firkin of butter hanging
there to cool-and pour the water into
the speckled pitcher-the one without
the cracked spout, dcar-and bring it in,
with the glass tumblcr."
(which tumblcr, mothu- I"
"Oh, DEAR there isn't but one!
sighed Mrs. Bliss, hurriedly trying on a
clean gingham apron to conceal the de-
ficiencics of her well worn wash-day
gown. "The other was cracked against
the edge of the sink this morning. And
be sure it's clean and bright, Benny,
there's dear"
Thus speaking, Mrs. Bliss lifted the
boiler of clothes off the stove, to make
sure of no mishap in her absence, shut
the door to keep out buff hen, with
six buff chicks, who were maraudiug
around the step, and hurried into the
gcnteel gloom OF the ''best room,"
where the grecn-papc, shades were
pulled down, and yesterdays bunch of
cinnamon roses was withering in no.
handled milk-jug.
Mrs. Sewer sat there, in dress OF
pale lilac muslin, looped here and there
with ribbons of a deeper shade, an i'm
menso japanese fan in her hand, and .
prevailing scent of frangipanni surround
ing her as with an atmosphere.
No greater contrast could have been
presented than that between this butter
fly of ianguid leisure and the poor little
working bee who stood opposite her, in
the calico dress, and the face flushed
with homely exercise.
$50 sorry {, trouble you'll" smiled
Mrs. Sewer. "But my poor throat wa
parched, and the well under the button
ball-trees did look so rcfreshingw
"Oh, it's no troub!cm said Mrs. Bliss
with more politencss than truth. "My
boy will bring you drink directly
Here he comes now."
| And Master Benny made his appear
ance with pitcher Of cool water in on,
hand and the ono remaining family
tumblcr in tho other
''Is it out of that dear, old.time well7'
lisped Mr.. Sewer.
"Yes'm!' said Benny, eagerly. g
drawcd it myself. The buckets broke
but l lot down tin-pail. The butter
gone hcadlong down the well, mother
for"
"Hush, Bcnnyl" said Mrs. Bliss, con
cealng her anguish as best she Nigh
under an exterior of forced calmness.
Delicious" calculated the visitor
setting down the tumbler. "I.ikc liouit
diamonds frozen into GOODNESS. All, by
the way, ma'am, I've been looking a
that dear old family Bible of yours ~ a
her capricious glance fell on a ponder
Gus russet-bound volume which occupie,
. the post of honor on the cherry WOO,
table beneath the gilt.framed looking
glass.
Mrs. Bliss flushed with pardonabl
pride.
eyes" said she, 'it has been in on
family for over seventy years.
belonged to my poor husbands grand
father"
81 am rather an enthusiast on th
subject of family Bibles" simpered Mrs
SEWER, who was one of those ladies VIII
are always posing TO imaginary au
diences. I'm fact, Pm making col
lection of them. Aud if you dent min
parting with it, II! give you five dollar
for this one."
Mrs. Bliss recoiIed little, as il some
thing had struck her.
"oh, couldn'tm said she. 90
belonged to my poor husbands grand
father. and